Contact lens molds and systems and methods for producing same

ABSTRACT

Contact lens molds and systems and methods for producing contact lens molds are described. The contact lens mold sections include two optical quality surfaces, a flange circumscribing at least a portion of the two optical quality surfaces, and an elongate member extending from the flange. Two mold sections can contact one another to form a mold assembly having a contact lens shaped cavity. The mold sections are structured to form a contact lens having an edge that does not require further physical modification before placement on an eye. Systems and methods are described which direct a molten polymeric material into cavities corresponding to the mold sections.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/200,848, filed Aug. 9, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,320,587, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety herein bythis reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to the manufacture of contactlenses and more specifically relates to molds used in the production ofcontact lenses, and systems and methods for producing contact lensmolds.

One method of manufacturing ophthalmic lenses, such as intraocularlenses and contact lenses, is by cast molding. Cast molding of contactlenses is well known. See, for example, Appleton, et al., U.S. Pat. No.5,466,147, Morris, U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,993, Dean, U.S. Pat. No.6,431,706, and Dean, U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,993.

Typically, a mold assembly for producing a single contact lens includesa female mold section having a concave optical surface defining ananterior surface of a lens to be made, and a male mold section having aconvex optical surface defining a posterior surface of the lens to bemade. When individual male and female mold sections are assembledtogether, a contact lens shaped cavity is formed between the concavesurface of the female section and the convex surface of the malesection.

A contact lens precursor material, for example a curable mixture ofpolymerizable monomers, is placed or deposited within the lens shapedcavity, or more specifically, the lens precursor material is placed incontact with the concave surface of a first mold section and a secondmold section is placed on the first mold section so that the convexsurface of the second mold section contacts the lens precursor materialand maintains the lens precursor material in the lens shaped cavity. Thelens precursor material is cured in the mold assembly to form a contactlens. The contact lens is removed from the mold sections and is furthertreated and eventually packaged for consumer use.

The male and female mold sections used in the above-mentioned contactlens manufacturing process are themselves commonly formed through theuse of injection molding processes. These mold sections may be mademolded from thermoplastic materials, for example, such as polystyrene orpolypropylene, and the like.

Martin et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,899, discloses methods and apparatusfor automated high speed manufacturing of contact lens blanks. Theapparatus includes an injection molding station for production ofcontact lens mold sections used to make the blanks.

EP 1136222 A1 discloses methods for the production of contact lenses inwhich resin molds are formed in a die assembly, the resin molds are thenfilled with a contact lens molding material, and the filled resin moldsare assembled to form contact lenses between the resin molds.

EP 1352736 A1 discloses a contact lens mold assembly comprisingmultiple, identical, stackable contact lens molds.

Larsen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,348, discloses another prior art approach tomanufacturing lens molds. Pursuant to this approach, an array of moldingsurfaces carried on a polystyrene frame are used to form an array ofcontact lenses. One molded frame carries a 2×4 array of concave front orfemale mold halves, and another molded frame carries a 2×4 array ofconvex base or male mold halves.

Additional patents and publications disclosing methods and/or apparatusfor manufacturing the molds used in lens manufacture include Lust etal., U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. US 2003/0203066 A1; Lust et al.U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,356; Lust et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,410; andParnell, Sr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,180,032.

While the aforementioned methods, processes and apparatus have enhancedthe speed and efficacy of contact lens manufacturing, there is still aneed for even more effective, more efficient processes and systems formeeting the present high demand for contact lenses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

New contact lens molds, mold assemblies and systems for manufacturingcontact lens mold assemblies have been discovered. The present apparatusand systems are especially useful for facilitating high speed productionof high quality contact lenses, for example but not limited to softhydrophilic silicon-based contact lenses. More specifically, the presentmold sections, mold assemblies, molding systems and methods are usefulin the production of silicone-hydrogel contact lenses or contact lensesthat comprise a silicone hydrogel material, including daily wear lensesand extended or continuous wear lenses (e.g., contact lenses that can becontinuously worn on an eye for several days or weeks, for example,about 30 days).

The present mold assemblies comprise contact lens mold sections, eachsection including a lens-defining surface, that when assembled together,define a contact lens shaped cavity therebetween. The mold sectionsthemselves can be molded using injection molding techniques. The moldassemblies are formed by placing two mold sections in contact with eachother to form a contact lens shaped cavity, as discussed herein.

Advantageously, mold assemblies in accordance with the invention maycomprise universal mold sections. As used herein, “universal moldsection” refers to a mold section that includes both a convexlens-defining surface and a substantially opposing, concavelens-defining surface, both surfaces being effective to form anoptically acceptable surface of a contact lens. Thus, each mold sectioncan be understood to have two optically acceptable surfaces, or twosurfaces that are structured to form a single contact lens withoptically acceptable anterior and posterior surfaces. Two of suchuniversal mold sections, when assembled together, define a lens shapedcavity between the convex lens defining surface of one of the moldsections (e.g., a first mold section) and the concave lens-definingsurface of another mold section (e.g., a second mold section). Each ofthe lens-defining surfaces is an optical quality or optically acceptablesurface, meaning that each lens-defining surface has a smoothnesseffective to impart a high quality optically smooth surface to a lensproduct molded therefrom.

Systems and methods for manufacturing universal mold sections havingsubstantially opposing, optical quality surfaces are provided by thepresent invention.

In addition, features of the present systems and methods are providedwhich are directed at facilitating automated, highly reliableidentification of each mold section produced by the systems and methods.The mold assemblies themselves include an identification indicator, suchas a structure for facilitating identification and/or tracking of themold sections during production of contact lenses. These trackingfeatures may include a generally “panhandle” shaped structure of themold assemblies. For example, each mold section includes an elongatedregion extending generally radially outwardly from the lens-definingsurface and including some form of indicia, preferably indicia that canbe reliably read using a machine, for example, a laser scanner. Suchindicia is advantageously placed on the mold sections, or the panhandleof the mold sections, during the process of manufacturing the moldsections. These and other features of the invention greatly enhancedownstream lens manufacture from the mold assemblies and quality controlof the lens manufacturing process.

For example in accordance with one embodiment, the present inventionprovides a mold assembly for use in making a lens, for example, acontact lenses, for example, a soft, silicon-based hydrophilic contactlens. The mold assembly generally comprises a pair of mold sectionbodies each mold section body including an optic region having alens-defining surface. The lens-defining surface has a surface contourthat is a negative of an anterior surface of a contact lens or anegative of a posterior surface of a contact lens. Each mold sectionbody further comprises a flange region circumscribing, for example,substantially completely circumscribing, the lens-defining surface.Additionally, the mold section body further comprises an elongatedregion preferably integrally molded with the flange region and extendingradially outwardly therefrom. Another embodiment of the presentinvention relates to the individual mold sections used to form the moldassemblies.

In some embodiments, the elongated region of the mold section body has alength and geometry effective to provide a desired wall thickness of theoptic region or bowl section of the mold section. For example, theelongated region may have a length of at least about 15 mm, said lengthbeing measured from the outer perimeter of the flange region where theelongated region joins the flange region, to a distal tip of theelongated region. In some embodiments, the elongated region length isbetween about 20 mm and about 40 mm, preferably between about 30 mm andabout 35 mm. In one embodiment, the length is about 30 mm.

The elongated region may have a substantially uniform width along amajor portion thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated regionincludes a first portion having a substantially uniform width and asecond portion having a width that diverges in a direction away from thefirst portion toward the flange region, for example at an angle ofbetween about 10° and about 30°. The first portion may be understood tobe a proximal portion, and the second portion may be understood to be adistal portion. Or, the first portion may be a proximal portion, thesecond portion may be an intermediate portion, and the optic region andflange may be a distal portion.

In certain embodiments, the elongated region is substantially planar andincludes substantially no steps or discontinuities along the lengththereof. For example, the elongated region does not include a rampportion that has an incline surface oriented from the proximal portiontowards the distal portion.

In one embodiment, the second portion is thinner than the first portion.For example, the first portion of the elongated region has asubstantially uniform first thickness and the diverging second portionhas a second thickness that is less than the first thickness.

In certain embodiments, the first thickness of the elongated region isbetween about 0.4 mm, or about 0.6 mm, or about 0.8 mm, or about 1 mmand about 1.2 mm or about 1.4 mm, or about 1.6 mm or about 2 mm.Preferably, the first thickness is between about 0.8 mm and 1.6 mm. Thesecond thickness of the elongated region is preferably no greater thanabout 0.4 mm and about 1.8 mm. Preferably the second thickness isbetween about 0.8 mm and about 1.6 mm.

A mold assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention,comprises two or more universal mold sections assembled together, forexample, in a stacked fashion, and defining a lens shaped cavity betweenthe first lens-defining surface of one of the mold sections, and thesecond lens-defining surface of the other mold section. It can beappreciated that numerous advantages and benefits are afforded by theuniversal mold sections of the present invention. For example, by usingthe present universal mold sections, the manufacture of lenses requiresa reduced number of different mold sections, relative to conventionallens mold assemblies which typically utilize a posterior curve moldsection and a different anterior curve mold section for manufacturing alens. In addition, the present contact lens mold assemblies and systemsfor manufacturing such contact lens mold assemblies require a reducednumber of different molding machine components, and provide enhancementsin management of contact lens mold inventory, for example.

Additional information that may be helpful to understanding the conceptof “universal” mold sections having opposing lens defining moldingsurfaces, is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. JP 05337957A, whichteaches a system for molding a contact lens using stacked identical moldforms. The disclosure of Japanese Patent No. JP 05337957A.

In another aspect of the invention, mold sections, for example, moldsections as described elsewhere herein, are provided which include oneor more identifiers or indicia for identifying one or morecharacteristics of the mold section, for example, a characteristic of alens to be formed using the mold section. To illustrate, and withoutlimitation, indicia may be provided, for example in the form of a band,a color, a mark, a texture, etching or a roughened surface, and thelike, and combinations thereof, useful in facilitating identification ofa characteristic of a mold section related to information, for example,optical power, shape, size and/or other identifying information, about alens to be molded using the mold section. In an especially advantageousembodiment, such indicia are provided as one or more machine readablebands located on the elongated region of one or more of the moldsections.

Using such identifying indicia, multiple mold sections can be easily andrapidly compared against one another and assembled as appropriate toform one or more mold assemblies having a desired lens-shaped cavity,and ultimately to provide the desired lens or lenses cost effectivelyand/or in a mass production context. For example, the mold sections mayeach be identifiable or “readable”, for example, at least one ofvisually readable, tactilely readable, and/or machine readable and/orthe like and/or combinations thereof. The indicia may comprise a band ofan elongated region of the mold section, for example, the band orsurface being a colored surface, a roughened surface, a frosted surface,a marked surface, a shaped surface (such as having a width that isdifferent from a width of a similar band or surface on another,different mold section and the like.

In an especially advantageous embodiment of the invention, the moldsections are structured to be automatically identifiable, that is, to beidentifiable using automated means. For example, the mold sections mayinclude indicia that are readable using a laser scanning system, otherautomatic scanning systems, and the like, and combinations thereof.

In one aspect, the present invention comprises mold sections useful inthe production of contact lenses by the polymerization of apolymerizable composition provided in the assembled mold sections. Themold sections of the invention may themselves be molded articles ofthermoplastic polymer materials that are transparent or at leastpartially transparent to polymerizing radiation, for example,ultraviolet light.

In an embodiment of the invention, molding assemblies, each including acomplementary pair of first and second mold sections, are used in theproduction of hydrogel lenses, hydrogel contact lenses and the like, forexample, silicon-containing hydrophilic lenses, silicone hydrogelcontact lenses, other hydrophilic lenses and contact lenses and thelike. This is accomplished by molding a composition, for example apolymerizable composition, within a lens shaped cavity defined betweentwo complementary mold sections. For example, the polymerizablecomposition may comprise one or more monomers and a solvent. Thecomposition is placed or deposited onto a concave lens defining surfaceof one of the mold sections. The other mold section is placed on top ofthe first mold section to enclose the composition within a lens shapedregion defined therebetween. The filled, assembled mold sections arecoupled together, for example, using an ultrasonic horn to weld one ormore contact regions located radially outwardly of the filled lensshaped cavity. The filled and welded mold assembly is then subjected topolymerizing conditions, such as irradiation assembly with actinic,visible and/or ultraviolet radiation, to thereby produce a polymerarticle in the shape of a desired lens.

After the polymerization process is completed, the complementarysections of the mold assembly are separated to reveal the polymerizedlens shaped article on one of the mold sections. The article is thensubjected to post-polymerization steps such as removal from the moldsection and extraction and hydration of the article. For example, afterthe polymerization is complete, solvent in the polymer article may bedisplaced with water to produce a hydrated lens, for example, having asize and shape suitable for placement on an eye of an individual.

In another aspect of the invention, manufacturing systems are providedwhich are useful for manufacturing mold sections having optical qualitysurfaces. The systems are particularly useful in manufacturing moldsections that are subsequently used to mold ophthalmic lenses, forexample, contact lenses.

In general, the manufacturing systems comprise an injection moldingassembly, and a molding component couplable to the injection moldingassembly. The molding component is sometimes referred to as a moldingtool, and generally has one or more, preferably four or more, cavities,for example, mold section shaped cavities. The injection moldingassembly is couplable to a supply of molding material, for example,thermoplastic material. The injection molding assembly is effective toinject, for example, under pressure, the thermoplastic material, in afluid state, into the mold section shaped cavities. The thermoplasticmaterial is allowed to cool in the cavities, the molding component isopened, and the cooled and solidified mold sections are removedtherefrom.

In an embodiment of the invention, the mold section shaped cavityincludes an optic cavity portion having a lens shaped surface and anelongated cavity portion. Contact lens mold sections are made byintroducing an amount of the fluid thermoplastic material using theinjection molding assembly into the elongated cavity portion through aninlet. The system is structured so that the flow characteristics of thefluid thermoplastic polymeric material, upon reaching the optic portionof the mold cavity, are sufficiently flowable or fluid to provideoptical quality surfaces on the final mold section.

For example, the elongated cavity portion advantageously includesstructure, for example, a fan shaped cavity portion that allows the flowof thermoplastic material to spread outward toward the flange regionwith a smooth, laminar flow of the material. This shape helps reducestress concentrations adjacent the optic cavity portion by spreading theopening to the optic cavity portion over a wide area. Advantageously, adesired flow rate can be obtained without providing a step, ramp, orsloped surface along the elongated cavity portion.

Preferably, the present invention provides a system for producingcontact lens mold sections in which the flow characteristics of thefluid thermoplastic polymeric material used to form the mold sectionsadvantageously have an appropriate balance of high fluidity duringintroduction of the fluid thermoplastic polymeric material into the moldcavity and rapid cooling and/or solidification of the thermoplasticmaterial once the cavity has been filled.

The elongated cavity portion is dimensioned and the inlet is positionedto be effective to provide the resulting substantially solid moldsection article with an optical quality surface or surfaces at theoptical cavity portion, and effectively reduced time to solidify thethermoplastic polymeric material relative to a molding apparatusdefining a substantially identical mold cavity without the elongatedportion. In one embodiment, the elongated cavity portion has a length todepth ratio in a range of about 10:1, or about 15:1, or about 22:1 toabout 30:1 or about 44:1 or about 50:1. Preferably, the elongated cavityportion has a length to depth ratio of between about 22:1 to about 44:1.

The thermoplastic material may be a thermoplastic polymeric material,for example, selected from any suitable such material or mixtures ofsuch materials. For example, and without limitation, the thermoplasticpolymeric material may comprise a polymer such as polyolefins, e.g.,polypropylene, polyethylene, and the like, poly ethylene vinyl alcohol(EVOH), polyamides, poly oxy methylene, poly ethylene terephthalate,cyclic olefin co-polymers, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, copolymersof styrene with acrylonitrile and/or butadiene, acrylates, for example,poly methyl methacrylate, and the like, polyacrylonitrile,polycarbonate, polyesters, poly(4-methylpentene-1), and the like andmixtures thereof. Poly ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) is a preferredmaterial for forming contact lens mold sections using the systems of theinvention.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a system for manufacturing avariety of different lens mold sections is provided. The systemgenerally comprises an injection molding assembly connectable to asource of molding material and a change plate assembly structured to beremovably coupled to the injection molding assembly. The change plateassembly includes a first plate and a second plate that when assembledtogether, define one or more cavities shaped as mold sections that areuseful in the production of contact lenses. In one embodiment, the firstplate includes at least one first molding surface, which defines, forexample, an anterior surface of a contact lens. The second plateincludes at least one second molding surface which may define, forexample, a posterior surface of a contact lens.

In certain embodiments, each of the first plate and the second plateincludes a plurality of first molding surfaces and a plurality of secondmolding surfaces, respectively. Thus, the first and second plates whenassembled with one another form a plurality of mold section-shapedcavities. In some embodiments, the first plate includes a plurality ofdifferent first molding surfaces, for example a plurality of convexmolding surfaces that have different optic curves. In one embodiment,the molding assembly comprises cavities to form eight substantiallyidentical mold sections in a single molding cycle.

Each of the first molding surfaces can be provided by an insert that isremovably coupled to the first plate. Alternatively, each of the firstmolding surfaces can be machined into a face of the first plate andintegral therewith. Likewise, each of the second molding surfaces can beprovided by an insert that is removably coupled to the second plate, orcan be a surface that is machined into a face of the first change plateand integral therewith. Using inserts may provide advantages such asincreased efficiency in changing the properties of the mold sections,such as the shape and dimensions of the optical surfaces of the moldsections.

In one embodiment of the invention, a change plate assembly is usefulfor molding contact lens mold sections having both first and secondsubstantially opposing lens defining surfaces. For example, a set offirst inserts include surfaces corresponding to a front curve of acontact lens and a set of second inserts include surfaces correspondingto a back curve of a contact lens. The first and second lens-shapedsurfaces of the mold sections are preferably formed using first moldinginserts and second molding inserts, respectively, located within thefirst change plate and the second change plate, respectively.Advantageously, each of the first and second inserts is removablypositioned within a bushing, which is, in turn, fitted within the changeplate assembly.

In some embodiments of the invention, at least one of the first insertsand the second inserts are single-piece elements, or single pieceoptics, having datum surfaces machined into the insert and correspondingto a lens edge. A specialist optical precision lathe can be used toperform this machining, so no subsequent polishing is required.Preferably, both the first and second inserts includes datum surfacesthat provide or are effective in forming a rounded lens edge on acontact lens. Some molding tools and inserts that are useful in theproduction of rounded edge contact lenses, and the advantages thereofare described in Dean, U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,706.

Preferably, the inserts used to produce the optically replicatedsurfaces on the mold sections are made from copper nickel alloys,aluminum alloys, pure nickel coated substrates, ferrous alloys,engineering ceramics, engineering plastics or the like.

A cooling assembly can also be provided in the present systems. Thecooling assembly can comprise a first cooling circuit located within thesystem so as to be effective to pass cooling fluid through the injectionmolding assembly, and a second cooling circuit that is independent ofthe first cooling circuit and is effective to pass cooling fluid throughthe change plate assembly. In this embodiment of the invention, thechange plate assembly can be physically removed from the molding systemwhile the first cooling system remains in operation to maintain coolingof the other components of the system. For example, the first coolingcircuit includes a plurality of inlets located on the change plateassembly and is connectable to a source of cooling fluid. The firstcooling circuit may include a feature for facilitating coupling anddecoupling of the change plate assembly with the injection moldingassembly, for example the cooling circuit may include a manifoldcoupler, or “multicoupler” for facilitating coupling of the plurality ofinlets to the source of cooling fluid.

In another aspect of the invention, the change plate assembly includesgenerally conical locator parts for facilitating positioning of thechange plate assembly in the injection molding assembly.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the system further comprises avacuum assembly for removing gasses from the system during a moldingprocess wherein the vacuum assembly is advantageously structured tobecome operable by default when the change plate assembly is coupled tothe injection molding assembly. The vacuum assembly is effective toapply continuous vacuum to the system during a molding process. Thevacuum assembly may comprise a channel located between the change plateassembly and the injection molding assembly, the channel being connectedto a vacuum source. The vacuum assembly is designed to remove off-gassesthat might otherwise accumulate within the system.

In some embodiments of the invention, the system comprises a temperaturesensor effective to measure temperature of the change plate assembly.For example, the temperature sensor may include one or more surfacemonitoring thermocouples located at strategic locations on or withinhousing plates of the injection molding assembly. Like the vacuumassembly, the temperature sensor is structured to become operable bydefault upon coupling of the change plate assembly to the injectionmolding assembly.

Removal and subsequent use of the molded article formed between firstand second inserts is greatly facilitated by positioning the convexinsert, or back curve insert, on a moving portion of the injectionmolding tool. This facilitates more efficient processing, for example,automated processing, of lenses using the mold sections.

In normal operation, the molded article, or contact lens mold section,may adhere to the concave insert, or front curve insert. In order tocause the molded article to instead be retained on the back curveinsert, the present systems may comprise retaining structure ormechanisms. For example, in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention, the bushing containing the back curve insert may include asurface having one or more cut-out portions, for example, notches orgrooves for capturing some of the thermoplastic material during themolding process. The cut out-portion or portions have a configurationand location effective to facilitate retaining the molded article on theback curve insert. In one embodiment, a substantially V-shaped groove isprovided, the groove having a depth of between about 0.025 mm and about0.5 mm, more preferably, between about 0.05 mm and about 0.20 mm. Forexample, a V-shaped groove is provided having a depth of about 0.075 mm.The groove preferably has an incline angle of between about 20° or about30° and about 70° or about 80°. In a preferred embodiment, the inclineangle of the groove is between about 30° and about 60°, for example, isabout 45°.

Without wishing to limit the invention to any particular theory ofoperation, it is believed that when molten material within the cavitysolidifies within the groove, the molded article tends to be retainedthereby and therefore remain adhered to the second insert when themolding machine, or molding component, is opened.

Alternatively or additionally, a raised structure, for example, a raisedportion, for example, a ridge, protrusion or the like, on the bushing ofsecond insert, may be employed to be effective to cause the moldedarticle to be retained by the second insert. The raised structure may belocated on, for example projecting from, the bushing which contains thesecond insert. In one embodiment, the raised projection has a height ofabout 0.05 mm to about 0.5 mm, for example about 0.2 mm, and a width ofabout 0.1 mm to about 1.0 mm, for example, about 0.6 mm, with undercutsof between about 13° and about 45°, for example about 30°. The raisedstructure is effective in forming a groove or notch in the mold section.For example, a notch or groove may be formed in the flange portion ofthe mold section. In certain embodiments, the insert is provided with aplurality of non-continuous raised structures to form a plurality ofseparate notches or grooves in the flange portion of the mold section.For example, the rear surface of a flange region of a mold section(e.g., the surface of the flange adjacent the convex surface of the moldsection) may comprise three notches located around the convex surface.The three notches can be approximately 120 degrees apart from each otherand do not contact each other. The notches are effective in securing themold section to a surface of the plate in contact with the rear surfaceof the mold section. Thus, a mold section with a plurality of notches,as described above, can be understood to comprise a non-continuous ringaround the optic portion of the mold section.

Both grooved or recessed structures and raised structures on the bushingmay be intermittent or spaced apart, rather than continuouslycircumscribing the insert, as described above.

Many different mechanisms may be employed to achieve the same means ofretaining the molded article on the second insert.

Preferably, the molding surfaces that are components of the injectionmolding machine are maintained at a desired temperature by inclusion ofa cooling system, for example a cooling circuit, which is advantageouslyemployed throughout the injection molding system.

For example, each of the first and second inserts preferably has acircumferential cooling passageway defined therearound in which fluidcoolant is circulated. In one embodiment, the cooling passageways aredefined in the bushings retaining the inserts. In accordance with someembodiments, the inserts themselves include no, or are substantiallyfree of, fluid circulation passageways defined therein.

Each and every feature described herein, and each and every combinationof two or more of such features, is included within the scope of thepresent invention provided that the features included in such acombination are not mutually inconsistent. In addition, any feature orcombination of features may be specifically excluded from any embodimentof the present invention.

These and other aspects of the present invention are apparent in thefollowing detailed description and claims, particularly when consideredin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts bearlike reference numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mold section showing a concave moldingsurface that is a negative of a front curve of a contact lens.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the mold section taken along line2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a molding assembly, including two moldsections stacked one on the other.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the mold assembly taken along line4-4 of FIG. 3, the mold assembly defining a lens shaped cavity.

FIG. 5 shows a set of mold sections in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention, each mold section including indicia for facilitatingdistinguishing and/or identifying of a characteristic of the moldsection.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a molding system in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a tooling of the molding system shown inFIG. 6, namely an insert body and an insert having an optical surface,the tooling including features for preventing rotational mis-orientationof the optical surface.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of a change plate assembly ofthe molding system, showing a multicoupling feature for facilitatingconnection and disconnection of a water cooling line.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a face of one of the change plates with eightnewly formed mold sections disposed thereon, showing two sets of fourmold sections with each set of four mold sections having been formedwith one valve gate cluster.

FIG. 10 is a magnified cross-sectional view of a portion of the moldassembly shown in FIG. 4, showing a feature of the mold sections thatproduce a smooth edged surface to the contact lens formed in the lensshaped cavity.

FIG. 10A is a magnified cross-sectional view of a portion of a preferredmold assembly including a feature to prevent deformation of a lens edge.

FIG. 11 is a magnified view of a portion of the mold cavity shown inFIG. 6 showing an undercut ring effective to cause the molded part toadhere to the back curve insert upon separation of the molding surfaces.

FIG. 12 is a magnified view of a portion of the mold cavity similar tothe magnified view shown in FIG. 11, except rather than the notchedportion, a “dovetail” form is provided for holding the molded part tothe back curve insert upon separation of the molding surfaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a mold section of the present inventionfor use in making a contact lens is shown generally at 10. The moldsection 10 generally comprises a mold section body 12 that includes anoptic region 14 having a first lens-defining surface 16 which isillustrated as a negative of an anterior surface of a contact lens. Thebody 12 further includes a flange region 18 at least partiallycircumscribing the optic region 14, and a substantially non-triangularelongated region 24 extending away from the optic region 14 and alignedsubstantially parallel with the flange region 18.

The mold section preferably comprises poly ethylene vinyl alcohol(EVOH). Other suitable molding materials include polypropylene,polyethylene, polyamides, poly oxy methylene, poly ethyleneterephthalate, cyclic olefin co-polymers, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, copolymers of styrene with acrylonitrile and/or butadiene,acrylates such as poly methyl methacrylate, polyacrylonitrile,polycarbonate, polyamides, polyesters, poly(4-methylpentene-1), and thelike, and mixtures thereof.

The mold section 10 may be structured to be used as a universal moldsection, as described elsewhere herein, in that the mold sectionincludes both male and female molding surfaces that are opticallyacceptable. More specifically, in the embodiment shown, the optic region14 of the mold section includes first lens defining surface 16 and asubstantially opposing second lens defining surface 17. In this case,the first lens-defining surface 16 is a negative of an anterior curve(front curve) of a contact lens and the second lens defining surface 17is a negative of a posterior curve (back curve) of a contact lens. Itcan be appreciated therefore that the mold section 10 in accordance withthis embodiment of the invention includes both a concave molding surface16 for forming the front curve of a lens, and a convex molding surface17 for forming a back curve of a lens, on a single mold section 10. Bothsurfaces are sufficiently smooth to produce a contact lens, such as asilicone-hydrogel contact lens, having two optically acceptable surfaceswithout requiring additional surface modifications or treatments to makethe lenses ophthalmically acceptable.

A mold assembly 26 in accordance with a related aspect of the inventionis shown in FIG. 3. The mold assembly 26 comprises mold section 10,hereinafter usually referred to as “first mold section 10” and similaror substantially identical second mold section 10′.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 4, the mold assembly 26 is used in themanufacture of a single lens, for example a single contact lens, that isformed between a first lens defining surface 16 of first mold sections10 and a second lens defining surface 17′ of the second mold section10′. Each of surfaces 16 and 17′ are high optical quality surfaceshaving few or no imperfections that would be transferred to a lensmolded thereby.

The term “optical quality” used herein to describe the lens-definingsurfaces of the resulting mold sections is intended to mean that thesurface is sufficiently smooth such that when a polymerizable monomericcomposition is polymerized, while in contact with that surface, into aproduct having the shape and (upon hydration, if necessary) dimensions,refractive properties and water content of a ready-to-wear contact lenswhich can be said as a whole to be “optical quality.” An optical qualitylens has a degree of surface smoothness and contour precision and issufficiently free of internal defects to provide the desired refractivecorrection without distortion, and/or without substantial discomfort tothe lens wearer. Known analytical techniques, such as interferometry,can be employed to confirm the smoothness and contour precision of thesurfaces.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the elongated region 24 of the mold section 10has a length L extending between a tip or proximal end region 27 of theelongated region and the junction of the elongated region with theflange region 18. The length L is at least as great as a diameter of thelens-defining surface 16. The length L of the elongated region 24 isbetween about 20 mm and about 40 mm, more preferably between about 30 mmand about 35mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the length L is about 30mm.

The elongated region 24 includes a first portion 28 of substantiallyuniform width and a second portion 30 having a distally increasing ordistally diverging width so that at a junction of the second portionwith the flange region 18, the second portion 30 is substantiallyequivalent in width to the flange region 18.

In a preferred embodiment, the first portion 28 of the elongated region24 has a uniform width between substantially parallel, opposingperipheral longitudinal edges thereof, of between about 5 mm and about15 mm. The second portion 30 has opposing peripheral edges which divergeat an angle of between about 10 degrees and about 20 degrees measuredfrom the substantially parallel peripheral edges of the first portion28.

The first portion 28 has a substantially uniform thickness of betweenabout 0.5 mm and about 2.0 mm, preferably between about 0.8 mm and about1.6 mm. In a preferred embodiment, the first portion 28 has a somewhatgreater thickness than a thickness of the second portion 30. Thethickness of the optical region, such as the thickness of the bowlregion of the mold section or the thickness between the concave surfaceand convex surface of the mold section can be from about 1.5 mm to about1.7 mm. In one embodiment, the thickness is about 1.6 mm.

In accordance with an especially advantageous embodiment of theinvention, the ratio of the length L of elongated region 24 to anaverage thickness of elongated region 24 is a ratio between about 22:1and about 44:1.

Turning to FIG. 5, the present invention provides an assembly 100 usefulfor molding contact lenses wherein the assembly 100 comprises aplurality of mold sections, represented by mold sections 110 a, 110 band 110 c. In this embodiment, each mold section 110 a, 110 b and 110 cincludes indicia 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, respectively, effective for at leastone of identifying and distinguishing a characteristic of thelens-defining surface of the mold section, for example, a distinguishingcharacteristic of the mold section relative to the lens-definingsurfaces of the other mold sections. For example, mold section 110 aincludes indicia 40 a which is visually distinguishable from indicia 40b of mold section 110 b as indicia 40 c of mold section 110 c. Forexample, indicia 40 a is effective for identifying a radius, or opticalcurve of the lens-defining surface 116 a of mold section 110 a.Likewise, indicia 40 b is effective for identifying a different radiusor optical curve of the lens defining surface 116 b of mold section 110b. Similarly, indicia 40 c is effective for identifying a radius oroptical curve of the lens defining surface 116 c of mold section 110 c.Generally speaking, indicia 40 a, 40 b, 40 c may be used to facilitateidentification of the particular molding machine or molding tools usedto make the mold section 110.

For the sake of simplicity, the following discussion will referspecifically to mold section 110 a, though it is to be appreciated thatthe discussion further applies to mold section 110 b and 110 c. Indicia40 a generally comprises a first surface portion 44 along the elongatedregion 124 that is roughened, frosted, color-coded, etched, textured,etc., relative to an adjacent second surface portion 46 of the elongatedregion 124. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, indicia 40 acomprises a first surface portion 44 which is defined by a roughenedand/or unpolished stripe or band and adjacent second surface portions 46are defined by relatively smooth, polished surfaces. The indicia 40 amay be formed on the mold section 110 a during the molding process byetching corresponding surfaces of the tool in which the mold is formed.

Advantageously, in this embodiment, indicia 40 a is machine readable andtherefore useful for facilitating automated processing of lenses. Morespecifically, mold section 110 a can be identified as a mold section forforming a lens having a particular front curve, back curve, or acombination thereof.

Preferably, indicia 40 a is machine-readable using a laser scanningdevice. For example, in a particular embodiment, indicia 40 a is “read”by suitable apparatus utilizing light sensors in conjunction with alaser beam scanner. Upon a laser beam passing along the elongated region124, the beam will be reflected back and detected by a sensor as thebeam traverses the polished surface portion 46. As the beam traversesthe roughened or unpolished surface portion 44 the beam will bescattered, rendering “no echo” or “no return signal” to the sensor.Thus, it can be appreciated that by providing mold sections having oneor more roughened surface portions of predetermined widths and one ormore polished surface portions, or roughened surface portions havingdistinct locations on the elongated region, the mold sections can beidentified and/or distinguished from each other. Advantageously, theindicia 40 can be formed on the mold section during molding of the moldsection by utilizing etched and polished molding surfaces for formingthe mold section. Other than being used to identify an ocular surfacecharacteristic of the mold, indicia may be used as a means foridentifying the origin of the mold section, the material of which themold section is made, and/or other characteristics of the mold sectionthat may be used to facilitate automated lens processing and/or reduceoccurrence of error during lens processing.

It is to be appreciated that conventional injection molding machines,such as those known to a person of ordinary skill in the art, can beused to produce the mold sections in accordance with the invention.Molding apparatus and aspects and features thereof described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 5,545,366, and 5,451,155, may be useful in producing the moldsections of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 6, an improved injection molding system in accordancewith another aspect of the invention is shown in cross-sectional viewgenerally at 210. The system 210 generally comprises an injectionmolding assembly 212 connectable to a source of molding material 214.Plastic pellets of molding material are contained in a hopper (notshown) from which they are dispensed into a heater of the injectionmolding assembly. In this specific embodiment, the molding material isEVOH which is melted by the heater to a temperature of about 255° C.However, the temperature can vary, and useful temperatures can bebetween about 255° C. to about 285° C.

The system further comprises a change plate assembly 216 structured tobe removably coupled to the injection molding assembly 214.

In an advantageous embodiment, the change plate assembly 216 can bequickly removed, as a unitary, intact assembly, from the overall moldingsystem 210. The structure of the change plate assembly 216, as will bedescribed in greater detail hereinafter, enables fast set up of thesystem 210 with the desired optical tooling. For example, two changeplate assemblies may be employed in which one change plate assembly isconnected to the injection molding assembly 212 and another change plateassembly is “off-line” and loaded with a different set of opticaltooling. Typically, exchange and connection of one change plate assemblyfor another off-line change plate assembly will take less than about 20minutes.

In one aspect of the invention, faces of the change plates have titaniumnitride surfaces that impart a high quality finish to the change plateassembly and molding surfaces that make up portions thereof. Thetitanium nitride faces may be hardened, for example, to about 56 Rc.

The change plate assembly 216 contains the molding tools for forming thelens-defining surfaces 16 and 17 of the mold section 10 (see FIG. 1)formed in a mold section shaped cavity 217. The elongated region 24 ofthe mold section 10 is formed by a hot runner channel 217 a that feeds aliquid molding material, such as molten EVOH, to an optical region 217 bof the mold section shaped cavity 217. Preferably, the molding surfacewhich defines the runner channel 217 a, has a discrete polished surface(high polish about 6 μm Ra) and discrete roughened surface (about 2.20μm Ra) to form indicia on the elongated region of the mold section, forexample, as described elsewhere herein and shown in FIG. 5. The lengthof the roughening is preferably between about 1 mm to about 8 mm.

In one embodiment, the change plate assembly 216 includes first andsecond plates defining a plurality of mold section shaped cavitiestherebetween. For example, the first plate includes at least one firstmolding surface, which defines for example an anterior surface of acontact lens and the second plate includes at least one second moldingsurface which may define, for example, a posterior surface of a contactlens in order to form the “universal” mold section shown in FIG. 1.

In a preferred embodiment, each of the first plate and the second plateincludes a plurality of first molding surfaces and a plurality of secondmolding surfaces, respectively. Thus, the first and second plates whenassembled with one another form a plurality of mold section-shapedcavities. In some embodiments, the first plate includes a plurality ofdifferent first molding surfaces, for example a plurality of convexmolding surfaces that have different optic curves.

Preferably, each of the first molding surfaces is provided by an insertthat is removably coupled to the first plate. Alternatively, each of thefirst molding surfaces is machined into a face of the first plate andintegral therewith. Likewise, each of the second molding surfaces isprovided by an insert that is removably coupled to the second plate, oris a surface that is machined into a face of the first change plate andintegral therewith.

For example, referring to FIG. 6, in the preferred embodiment, thechange plate assembly 216 includes a first plate 218, hereinaftersometimes “cavity plate,” structured to hold multiple front curvemolding inserts 220 mounted on front curve insert bodies 221 and loadedwithin a cavity bushing 222 (only one front curve molding insert 220 andinsert body 221 being shown in FIG. 6). The first plate 218 may also bereferred to as a female plate. The first plate 218 is located closer toa the injection molding apparatus compared to a second plate 224 of thechange plate assembly 216. The second plate 224, hereinafter sometimes“core plate,” is structured to hold multiple back curve molding inserts226 mounted on insert bodies 227 and loaded within a core bushing 228(only one back curve molding insert 226 and insert body 227 being shownin FIG. 6.) In this embodiment, the change plate assembly 216 furtherincludes a third plate 230, or a “stripper plate” having a stripperbushing 232 disposed around a portion of the core bushing 228 as shown.The stripper plate 230 facilitates ejection of finished mold sectionsfrom the mold tool. The combination of the stripper plate and theinserts may be referred to as a male plate. The stripper plate 230 movesrelative to the inserts and thus can be used to release the moldsections from the inserts, as discussed herein.

The back curve insert 226 is shown in FIG. 6 as it is loaded on a distalend of the generally cylindrical insert body 227. The insert body 227may include a location feature that prevents misorientation of theinsert body 227 with respect to the bushing 228 which holds the insertbody 227 in place. Such location features are desirable in order toensure that the insert 226, and the molding surface thereof, will beproperly aligned in the change plate assembly 216. This is particularlyuseful in the molding of toric lens mold sections where the insert mayincorporate a non-rotationally symmetrical form on its optical surface.

For example, the insert body 227 may be generally cylindrical with theexception of a flattened region along one longitudinal side of the body227. Thus, the body 227 may have a generally D-shaped cross-section.Correspondingly, core bushing 228 defines a cavity having acorresponding D-shaped cross-section in which the body 227 and firstinsert 226 are loaded. Other configurations are also contemplated andare considered within the scope of the invention.

Preferably, the back curve insert 226 also includes features forpreventing misalignment or misorientation of the lens-shaped surfacewith respect to the insert body 227. For example, as shown in FIG. 7,the back curve insert 226 and insert body 227 (now being shown asremoved from system 210) may include offset groove 235 a andcorresponding offset protrusion 235 b for ensuring that the insert 226can only be positioned on the insert body 227 in one position. This isparticularly useful in molding toric lens mold sections in which theinsert may incorporate a non-rotationally symmetric form on the opticalsurface thereof. Additionally, the insert body 227 may also include afeature, for example in the form of a D-shaped flange 239 correspondingto a D-shaped opening in the core bushing 228, for facilitating correctrotational orientation.

Various other alignment features may be provided on one or morecomponents of the molding system 210 without departing from the scopeand spirit of the present invention. For example, in another aspect ofthe invention, the change plate assembly includes structure forfacilitating proper positioning of the three change plates with respectto each other. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, thechange plate assembly includes generally conical locator parts, usefulfor ensuring proper alignment and connections of the plates.

In another aspect of the invention, the system 210 includes a coolingsystem for maintaining the polymeric material being deposited into themold section shaped cavity 217 at an effective temperature formaintaining the desired flow characteristics of the material.

In a preferred embodiment, the cooling system comprises a first coolingcircuit located so as to be effective to pass cooling fluid, for examplewater, through channels or passageways within the injection moldingassembly 212, and a second cooling circuit which is effective to passcooling fluid through channels or passageways within the change plateassembly 216. Preferably, the first cooling circuit 272 is independentof the second cooling circuit 276 such that when the change plateassembly 216 is being exchanged for a different change plate assembly,the injection molding assembly 212 can continue to be cooled.

For example, the cooling system may comprise channels 272 defined in thecore bushing 228, stripper bushing 232 and cavity bushing 222 as shownin FIG. 6. A separate, independent cooling system is preferably providedfor cooling the injection molding assembly 212. It is noted that in theembodiment shown, the inserts 220, 226 and insert bodies 221, 227themselves include no fluid circulation passageways defined therein.

Effective and efficient disconnection and reconnection of water to andfrom the change plates 218, 224, and 230 during removal and insertion ofthe change plate assembly 216 is important to minimize downtime, preventwater loss and prevent mix-up of common looking connections. Tofacilitate low downtime, low water loss and mistake-proof connection, aseries of manifold couplings, or “multicoupling” water connections arepreferably employed. One such multicoupling is shown at 244 in FIG. 8.

For example, multicoupler 244 includes valved male connectors 247. Thechange plate assembly 216, for example the core plate of the changeplate assembly, includes corresponding valved female connectors 249 incommunication with the cooling circuits (not shown in FIG. 8) within thecore plate. All of the male connectors 247 and female connectors 249 arepreferably self-sealing valved couplers. The female connectors 249 arepreferably sunk into the surface of the change plates in order toprevent damage thereto upon plate removal.

All water connectors are preferably located in an easily accessiblearea, for example, on an operator side of the system 210, to enablequick connection/disconnection with minimum operator movement and/oroperator effort.

Because there are three change plates 218, 224, and 230, three suchmulticouplings are used. To prevent misconnection, the multicouplingsare labeled and/or have different pitches between their connections toprevent engagement to the wrong plate. The multicouplings can, however,be inverted in the correct plate, but this is not problematic due to thesymmetrical design of inlet and outlet connections between the plate andmulticoupling which allows inversion without compromising effectivenessof tool cooling. The change plate assembly 216 is cooled in a separatecircuit to the hot runner system of the injection molding assembly 212.Advantageously, when the change plate assembly 216 is removed, theremainder of the system 210 can continue to be cooled, therebypreventing overheating.

Turning now to FIG. 9, in a preferred embodiment the system 210 is amultiple cavity molding system, for example but not limited to aneight-cavity molding system. FIG. 9 shows a simplified diagram of anarrangement of molded mold sections 10 disposed on a face of thestripper plate 230. Two sets of four mold sections 10 are formed by twovalve gate clusters 280 connectable to four valve gate pins (not shownin FIG. 9). In this embodiment, four pins are operated simultaneously byone pneumatic actuator by use of a coupling plate. Hence four cavitiesare filled individually but simultaneously. The valve gate clusters maybe scaled up to 12, 16, 24, etc. cavity tools within the scope of theinvention by simply adding to the injection molding system 210 in amodular fashion.

Additional detail regarding this feature of the present invention willbe known to those of skill in the injection molding art, and thus willnot be disclosed in great detail herein.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the system 210 may furthercomprise a vacuum assembly 288 for removing gasses from the systemduring a molding process wherein the vacuum assembly is advantageouslystructured to become operable by default when the change plate assembly216 is coupled to the injection molding assembly 212. The vacuumassembly 288 is effective to apply continuous vacuum to the system 210during a molding process. The vacuum assembly 288 may comprise a channel289 located between the change plate assembly 216 and the injectionmolding assembly 212, the channel 289 being connected to a vacuum source290. In a specific embodiment, the channel is a substantially U-shapedchannel that is cut into a front face of the stripper plate 230. Thevacuum assembly is designed to remove off-gasses that might otherwiseaccumulate within the system.

In some embodiments of the invention, the system comprises a temperaturesensor effective to measure temperature of the change plate assembly216. For example, the temperature sensor may include one or more surfacemonitoring thermocouples located at strategic locations on or withinhousing plates of the injection molding assembly. Like the vacuumassembly, the temperature sensor is preferably positioned and structuredto become operable by default upon coupling of the change plate assemblyto the injection molding assembly.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, back curveinsert 226 is preferably manufactured as one integral component. Inother embodiments, not shown, the insert 226 may be a multi-componentdesign.

In one specific embodiment, each of the first and second inserts 220 and226, respectively, are single-piece inserts including the opticalquality surfaces defining one of the front curve or back curve of thecontact lens, and in addition, a circumferential surface, hereinaftersometimes “datum surface” that will define a lens edge when a firstmolded article is assembled with a second molded article produced usingthe methods and systems of the invention. Each of the first and secondinserts 220 and 226, respectively define not only the optical surface ofthe lens to be made thereby but also the critical edges of a lens formedby the molding surfaces. In other embodiments, the inserts aremulti-piece inserts.

The mold sections may be shaped so as to define the critical edgesurfaces of the lens formed between two of the mold sections, thuspossibly eliminating post production steps directed at polishingoperations directed at smoothing the edge profile of the lens. This willbe better understood with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, wherein FIG. 10shows an enlarged view of the corresponding molded surfaces of moldsections 10 and 10′ as assembled to form the lens-shaped cavity 28therebetween, and FIG. 11 is a magnified cross-sectional view of thecorresponding datum surfaces of the inserts used to form both of themold sections 10 and 10′.

More specifically, FIG. 10 shows a rounded edge form 28 a of the lensshaped cavity 28 of the molding assembly 26 made of identical moldsections 10 and 10′.

FIG. 10A is a view of a mold assembly 126 substantially identical tomold assembly 26. However, mold assembly 126 includes an additionalfeature directed at substantially preventing deformation of the lensedge 412 during welding of mold sections 110 and 110′. Morespecifically, mold assembly 126 includes a first contact region 422located radially outwardly of the lens shaped cavity and a secondcontact region 424 located radially outwardly of and spaced apart fromthe first contact region 422.

In a mold assembly 126, the second contact region is positionedmarginally away from the edge of the first contact region, or firstmating surfaces. Thus, when the assembly 126 is loaded during weldingonly partial deformation of the edge, due to overloading, can occur (upto 20 μm i.e. the clearance) before contact of the secondary matingsurfaces is made, transferring the force away from the edge of the lensand substantially preventing further deformation of it. These featuresare machined onto the one piece optic. Thus, it can be understood thatthe outwardly located contact point 424 is effective in reducing defectsat the lens edge by relieving pressure from the lens edge contact point422. Furthermore, it can be understood that the present mold sectionsare structured, or include structural elements, to relieve pressure atthe lens edge contact point when two mold sections are placed togethercompared to mold sections that have only one contact point located at ornear the lens edge. Thus, the present mold assemblies can be understoodto comprise two mold sections that have two contact regions locatedaround the circumference of the optical region of the mold section.

Turning to FIG. 11, each insert 220, 226 includes an optical qualitysurface defining one of the front curve or back curve of the contactlens, and in addition, a circumferential surface, hereinafter sometimes“datum surface” that defines a lens edge when the first molded article(e.g. mold section 10 in FIG. 4) is assembled with a substantiallyidentical second molded article (e.g. mold section 10′ in FIG. 4).Critical portions, hereinafter “datum surfaces” are provided on each ofone piece optic inserts 220 and 226, at 292 and 294 respectively.

The datum faces 292 and 294 are preferably machined onto the inserts 220by a specialist optical precision lathe. Consequently, the sagitalheights of the inserts are fixed, thus the center thickness of thecontact lens molded thereby is fixed. Advantageously, no adjustment ofthe insert is necessary to obtain the correct center thickness of thecontact lens.

Turning back to FIG. 6, cavity 217 is fed with molten thermoplasticmaterial by a valve gate 302 of injection molding assembly 212. Thevalve gate 302 is disposed near an end of the elongated portion of thecavity, or “runner” 217 a. The valve gate 302 is situated so as toinject the hot molding material into the runner 217 a in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to a length of the runner 217 a. Preferably,the inlet 304 has a diameter in the range of about 0.6 mm to about 1.6mm, which allows for increased fill rates and less shearing of thethermoplastic material, thereby rendering a better optical qualitysurface. The valve gate 304 is also structured to substantially preventgate vestige, that is, an amount of material that may attach to themolded article due to “gate drool.” The gate size is selected so as toreduce shear stress in the molten thermoplastic material flowing throughthe cavity. Control of the gate size is accomplished by a pin whichhelps to control the flow rate of the molten thermoplastic, which (inconjunction with temperature and rate of heat removal) helps control thefinal dimensional characteristics of the molded part and optimizes theprocessing of the molded article.

In addition, the distance of the valve gate 302 to the optical portionof the mold cavity is sufficient to facilitate the use of sufficientlylarge cooling channels 272 around the bushings 222 and 232. This allowsfor very efficient, rapid cooling of the mold cavity 217 b.

In a specific embodiment of the invention wherein the molding materialis using EVOH and the melt temperature is at about 255° C., theinjection speed is about 0.55 seconds, the cooling time is about 2.5 toabout 5.5 seconds and the holding pressure in the system in theinjection molding assembly is about 60 Bar. It should be appreciatedthat these values are provided for purposes of example only, anddifferent embodiments of the invention may have different values of melttemperature, injection speed, cooling time, holding pressure, and/orother parameters. Such values can be changed to obtain the desiredweight and radius consistency of the mold sections empirically bychanging one parameter and determining how that change affected theproperties of the mold sections. It may be desirable to produceuniversal mold sections that have a weight consistency having an errorno greater than about 5% from mold section to mold section and/or aradius consistency having an error no greater than about 5%.

Mold section shaped cavity 217 is fed by the valve gate 302 through therunner 217 a through a feed portion which has a substantially uniformwidth and depth. Downstream of the feed portion, the runner 217 adiverges and fans outwardly in a direction toward the main, lens formingportion 217 a of the mold section cavity 217. The runner 217 a divergesat an angle of between about 10 degrees and 20 degrees from opposinglongitudinal edges of the feed portion. In this diverging portion of therunner 217 a, the cavity 217 is smaller in depth than feed portion,thereby forming the fan shaped, relatively thinner region 30 of the moldsection 10 shown in FIG. 1.

The runner 217 a (i.e. elongated portion) of the cavity 217 isdimensioned and the inlet 304 is sized and positioned to be effective toprovide the resulting substantially solid molded article with higheroptical quality surfaces, as defined elsewhere herein, relative to amolding apparatus including an identical molding tool without theelongated portion of the mold cavity.

The shape of the runner 217 a, having an upstream portion that isuniform in width and a downstream portion that diverges in width,fulfills important functions. The generally fan-shaped downstreamportion diverges gradually in width from an apex region toward the restof the mold cavity where it feeds thermoplastic into the flange portionand optical portion of the cavity. Controlling the flow characteristicsimparted by the dimensions of the runner, for example, in conjunctionwith the feed pressure, flow rate, and temperature of the moltenthermoplastic and the rate of heat withdrawal therefrom, enablesobtaining the desired characteristics of the completed mold sectionhaving at least one, and more preferably two, opposing optical surfaceson the single mold section. The dimensions of the runner are effectivein reducing and preferably eliminating jetting of the flowing moltenthermoplastic which could lead to sink marks, dimensional inconsistency,and unacceptable irregularities in the surface of the resulting moldsection.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the back curveinsert 226 is positioned on the moving component of the injectionmolding machine 210. This facilitates removal of the molded article fromthe injection molding tool, for example by means of a robotic handlingdevice, using a single step rather than the multiple steps required ifthe front curve insert 220 were placed on the moving component of theinjection molding tool.

In normal operation, the molded article would naturally adhere to thefront curve insert 220 which includes a convex molding surface. In orderto cause the molded article to instead be retained on the back curveinsert 226, an effective mechanical structure on or within the moldingsurfaces may be employed. For example, turning to FIG. 10, the bushing227 includes a circumferential groove 314 for retaining the moldedarticle to the back curve insert 226. Groove 314 may be a singlecontinuous undercut in the form of a substantially V-shaped groove, ormay be a plurality of spaced apart grooves disposed along the perimeterof the bushing. For example, the groove 312 has a depth of between about0.025 mm and about 0.5 mm, more preferably about 0.075 mm, and anincline angle of up to about 80°, preferably about an incline angle ofabout 45°. When molten material within the cavity 217 solidifies withinthe groove 312, the molded article will tend to be retained thereby andtherefore remain adhered to the back curve insert 226, rather than frontcurve insert 220 when the molding machine is opened to reveal the moldedarticle.

Alternatively or additionally, a raised structure may be employed to beeffective to cause the molded article to be retained by the back curveinsert 226. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, a raised portion 318 inthe form of a “dove tail” is provided. Like the groove 318 hereinabovedescribed, the raised structure 318 may be a continuous circumferentialstructure, or alternatively may be intermittent or spaced apart.Preferably, one or more raised structures 318 are provided which do notdefine a complete circumferential recess or annulus. For example, themold section formed or molded on this back curve insert will include forexample, at least one non-circumferential recess, for example, threespaced apart recesses, within the flange surface on the back curve ofthe mold section.

Preferably, the raised structure 318 is disposed at two, three or moreequidistantly spaced portions of the bushing, covering between about 10%to about 90% of a circumference thereof.

In one specific embodiment, the retaining mechanism comprises threeequidistantly spaced raised structures 318 each defining an arc of about30°, about the circumference of the bushing. In this specificembodiment, the raised structure 318 has a height about 0.2 mm to about0.5 mm, and a width of about 0.6 mm. The raised structure 318 definesopposing undercut angles α of between about 15° and about 85°, morepreferably about 70°.

Removing the solidified mold section from the back curve insert isaccomplished as follows. The core plate carrying the back curve inserts,for example 8 back curve inserts, is moved away from the cavity platecarrying the front curve inserts. The mold sections are retained on theback curve insert surfaces of the core plate, for example by means ofretaining features described elsewhere herein. A vacuum assisted robot,which includes a plate having a substantially planar surface with aplurality of vacuum ports, and effector enters between the cavity plateand core plate. The vacuum ports, in this example 8 vacuum ports, on theplate are positioned to hold the mold sections when the robot platecontacts the exposed surfaces of the flange regions on the front curveside of the 8 mold sections. The vacuum ports draw and lift the moldsections away from the back curve insert surfaces in combination withthe actions of the stripper plate moving relative to the opticalinserts. The robot arm swings away from the core plate and the vacuumheads then release the mold sections, back curve side down, in avertical stacking tray or cassette designed to hold stacked moldsections. In a specific embodiment, the cassette is sized and structuredto hold a stack of 64×8 individual mold sections. Advantageously, themold sections are stacked with the front curve side (concave side)facing upward which greatly facilitates the downstream filling steps.

Once the stacking cassette is full, the cassette is transferred to aseparate fill and close area where the mold sections are mechanicallyunstacked from the cassette, filled with a contact lens precursormaterial, and closed with mating contact lens mold sections. The indicialocated on the elongated region of each mold section can be read, forexample, using a laser scanner device as described elsewhere herein, toensure appropriate matching between mating mold sections during thestacking, unstacking, filling and/or closing steps.

In view of the disclosure herein, it can be understood that the presentinvention relates to contact lens mold sections, assemblies of moldsections, and systems and methods for producing contact lens moldsections.

In at least one embodiment, a contact lens mold section comprises twooptically acceptable or optical quality lens defining surfaces, a flangesubstantially circumscribing the lens defining surfaces, and a elongatemember in contact with the flange and extending radially away from thelens defining surfaces. Such mold sections may be understood to beuniversal molds having a handle portion. In other words, twosubstantially identical or exactly identical mold sections can becoupled together to form a mold assembly defining a lens-shaped cavitywith a handle extending therefrom. In contrast, existing mold sectionsmay include an extended portion but do not include two optical qualitylens defining surfaces. In certain embodiments, the mold sectionincludes a plurality of recesses located in the flange. The recesses mayhave an arc shape, but are not continuous annular recesses. Each moldsection can be provided with multiple radially spaced apart contactpoints such that pressure of one mold section on a second mold sectionis reduced at the lens edge to reduce defects at the lens edge andminimize or eliminate further edge processing. The elongate member caninclude a machine-readable identifier to facilitate tracking andidentification of particular lenses or mold sections during themanufacturing process.

Examples of the present systems for producing such contact lens moldsections comprise an injection molding assembly and a change plateassembly which defines a plurality of mold section cavities to producemold sections as described herein. Unlike existing manufacturingsystems, since the present mold sections have two optical qualitysurfaces, the heater of the injection molding assembly is not requiredto be located away from the optical quality surface. In other words, theheater can be located on either side of the mold section cavity.Furthermore, the change plate assembly can effectively and consistentlyproduce contact lens mold sections without requiring a ramp surface orincline surface to control the properties of the flowing thermoplasticmaterial.

Certain aspects and advantages of the present invention may be moreclearly understood and/or appreciated with reference to the followingcommonly owned United States patent applications, filed on even dateherewith, the disclosure of each of which is being incorporated hereinin its entirety by this specific reference: U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/200,648, entitled “Contact Lens Mold Assemblies and Systems andMethods of Producing Same”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/200,644,entitled “Systems and Methods for Producing Contact Lenses from aPolymerizable Composition”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/201,410,entitled “Systems and Methods for Removing Lenses from Lens Molds”; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/200,863, entitled “Contact LensExtraction/Hydration Systems and Methods of Reprocessing Fluids UsedTherein”; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/200,862, entitled “ContactLens Package”; U.S. Patent Application No. 60/707,029, entitled“Compositions and Methods for Producing Silicone Hydrogel ContactLenses” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/201,409, entitled“Systems and Methods for Producing Silicone Hydrogel Contact Lenses”.

A number of publications and patents have been cited hereinabove. Eachof the cited publications and patents are hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties.

While this invention has been described with respect to various specificexamples and embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention isnot limited thereto and that it can be variously practiced within thescope of the following claims.

1. A contact lens mold section, comprising: a single, unitary moldsection body comprising a first optical quality surface structured as anegative of an optical quality anterior surface of a contact lens, asubstantially opposing second optical quality surface structured as anegative of an optical quality posterior surface of a contact lens, aflange region circumscribing the first and second optical qualitysurfaces, and an elongated region extending substantially radiallyoutwardly from the flange region, the elongated region includes a firstportion having a substantially uniform width and a second portion havinga diverging width, the second portion being adjacent the flange regionand being thinner than the first portion of the elongated region, thesingle, unitary mold section body being structured to be operativelycoupled to an additional contact lens mold section body to form acontact lens mold assembly defining a contact lens shaped cavity betweenthe single, unitary mold section body and the additional contact lensmold section body.
 2. The mold section of claim 1 wherein the firstportion of the elongated region has a thickness of between about 0.5 mmand about 3.0 mm.
 3. The mold section of claim 1 wherein the elongatedregion has a length greater than an outer diameter of the flange region.4. The mold section of claim 3 wherein the length of the elongatedregion is at least about 15 mm.
 5. The mold section of claim 3 whereinthe length of the elongated region is between about 30 mm and about 35mm.
 6. The mold section of claim 1 further comprising indicia located onthe elongated region.
 7. The mold section of claim 6 wherein the indiciacomprises a surface of the elongated region, the surface being roughenedrelative to another surface of the elongated region.
 8. The mold sectionof claim 6 wherein the indicia comprises a machine readable surface. 9.The mold section of claim 1 wherein the flange region includes at leastone non-circumferential recess.
 10. The mold section of claim 9 whereinthe recess extends into the flange region from a surface of the flangeregion contiguous with the second optical quality surface.
 11. The moldsection of claim 1 wherein the elongated region has a length and issubstantially planar along the entire extent of the length thereof. 12.A mold assembly comprising: a first, unitary mold section and a second,unitary mold section structured substantially identically to the first,unitary mold section, each of the first and second, unitary moldsections comprising a first optical quality surface structured as anegative of an optical quality anterior surface of a contact lens, asubstantially opposing second optical quality surface structured as anegative of an optical quality posterior surface of a contact lens, aflange region circumscribing the first and second optical qualitysurfaces, and an elongated region extending substantially radiallyoutwardly from the flange region, the elongated region includes a firstportion having a substantially uniform width and a second portion havinga diverging width, the second portion being adjacent the flange regionand being thinner than the first portion of the elongated region; andthe first, unitary mold section and the second, unitary mold sectionbeing coupled so as to form a lens shaped cavity between the firstoptical quality surface of the first mold section and second opticalquality surface of the second mold section.
 13. The assembly of claim 12wherein the coupled mold sections define a first region of contactlocated radially outwardly from the lens shaped cavity and a secondregion of contact located radially outwardly from the first region ofcontact.